Hemet, CA White Supremacists Believed Responsible for Military Rocket Found Pointed Toward Police Facility

Alex Constantine - June 9, 2010

" ... The rocket, with its motor ignited, was discovered shortly after 10 p.m. on June 3 after firefighters responded to a fire at the Los Altos Market. ... The M29A2 was pointing in the general direction of a police facility and could have done considerable damage as a projectile. ... "

Gang enforcement officers appear to be the target of the attacks.

KTLA News | June 9, 2010

HEMET, Calif. -- Authorities are trying to determine whether a vintage military rocket found on the roof of a Hemet market and pointed toward a nearby police facility is related to a series of booby trap attacks targeting Hemet police.

The rocket, with its motor ignited, was discovered shortly after 10 p.m. on June 3 after firefighters responded to a fire at the Los Altos Market.

The nearly 9-pound device, found on the market's rooftop, was later determined to be an inert training rocket, said Hemet police Lt. Duane Wisehart. It was not known how its motor was ignited.

The M29A2 was pointing in the general direction of a police facility and could have done considerable damage as a projectile, Wisehart said.

"We're treating it as another attack on our police department," he said.

The incident is being investigated by Hemet police, the ATF and FBI.

The discovery comes on the heels of recent attacks involving booby traps set at the headquarters of the Hemet-San Jacinto Valley Gang Task Force.

Several city vehicles were also torched in the attacks, which began in December.

One law enforcement source said the incidents appear to be the work of a white supremacist gang.

A $200,000.00 reward is being offered by the Riverside County Board of Supervisors and others for arrests and convictions in the attacks. Anyone with any information is asked to call (877) 644-1449 or by e-mail at tips@cityofhemet.org.

http://www.ktla.com/news/landing/ktla-hemet-rocket,0,6865355.story